Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life Flashcards
Define organic chemistry
The study of organic compounds which are those that consist of carbon
What about carbon makes it such a versatile element creating diversity between organisms and their organic molecules?
Carbon is an element which expands the limited variety of organic molecules as it’s ability to form 4 different bonds with different atoms
What are the 6 major elements of life?
CHONSP
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Sulphur
- Phosphorus
What are the 4 main organic bonding partners of carbon atoms
CHON
What organic molecule consists of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms angled towards all four corners?
Methane
What organic molecule does the chemical formula C2H6 stand for
Ethane
what organic molecule is C2H4 double bond between the carbon atoms
Ethene
What is urea?
Urea is an organic molecule found in urine which consists of one singular carbon atom
What are 4 different variations of the carbon skeleton?
1) may vary in length
2) may vary in position of double bond
3) may branch
4) may for a ring like structure
Describes the characteristics of hydrocarbons
- hydrophobic
- undergo reactions which release large amounts of energy
Example: Phospholipid tails
What are isomers?
Isomers are organic compounds with the same number of molecules yet different structures and properties
What are the three types of isomers and explain how?
1) structural isomers: have the same number of molecules though are structurally and covalently arranged different
2) cis-trans isomers: cis and tans isomers are those which vary in their arrangement surrounding a double bond between 2 carbon atoms.
cis isomer: the x atoms are on the same side and the hydrogen atoms are on the same side
trans isomer: the x atoms are on opposite sides and therefore so are the hydrogen atoms
3) Enantiomers: The arrangement of molecules surrounding an asymmetrical carbon atom. Mirror image
L Enantiomer: left-sided arrangement
D Enantiomer: right-sided arranment
Why are Enantiomers important in the pharmaceutical industry?
Enantiomers are similar to left and right gloves which may only fit their designated hands. Of both L and D enantiomers only one isomer may be considered biologically active as for only thats specific arrangement may bind to certain molecules. In terms of medication certain enantiomers may not effect the body as effectively as the other or may cause an undesired effect on the body.
How is the chemical group attatched to a carbon skeleton important?
The chemical group changes the structure and function of a molecule
What are the seven most important functional groups in biological processes?
1) Hydroxyl
2) Carbonyl
3) Carboxyl
4) Amino
5) Sulfhydrl
6) Phosphate
7) Methane
Completely describe the hydroxyl group
Hydroxyl group (-OH) or (HO-)
- Hydrophilic (polar)
- helps dissolves compounds like sugars
- compound names usually end in (“ol”) such as alcohol or ethanol
Completely describe the carbonyl group
Carbonyl group (>C=O)
- hydrophilic (polar)
- those compounds in which the carbonyl group is found within the carbon skeleton are known as ketone
- those in which the carbonyl group is found at the end of the carbon skeleton are referred to as aldehyde
Completely describe the carboxyl group
Carboxyl group (-COOH)
- very polar
- Hydrophilic
- Acts as a proton donor (H+ donor) as for such polarity between hydrogen and oxygen
- Compound may be called carboxyl acid or organic acid
Completely describe the Amino group
Amino Group (-NH2)
- hydrophilic
- acts like a base
- compound name is amine
Completely describe the sulfhydryl group
Sulfhydryl Group (-SH)
- Hydrophobic (non-polar)
- known to create cross-links which maintain the protein structure of hair
- the compound name is thiol
Completely describe the Phosphate group
Phosphate Group (-OPO3^2-)
- Hydrophilic (polar)
- contribute a negative charge of 1 when attached in the middle of the carbon skeleton
- contributes a negative charge of 2 when attached to the end of the carbon skeleton
- confers molecules which the functional group is attached to, the ability to react with water and release energy
- compound can be called organic phosphate
Completely describe the Methyl group
Methyl Group (-CH3)
- effects the expression of genes when attached to DNA
- effects the shape and function of male and female sex hormones
What organic molecules is ATP made up of?
1 adenosine molecule + 3 phosphate groups (organic phosphates)
